Burnley host Manchester United on Sunday, in a game which affects the race for the top four and will have a huge bearing on deciding if the Clarets remain in the Premier League.
Three more points will secure Burnley’s top flight status for anther season, and back on their home patch for only the fourth time in three months, you certainly wouldn’t bet against the Clarets.
Manchester United come into the game on the back of playing extra time against Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday. With 120 minutes already in the players legs coming into Sunday and a few more injuries picked up, you would expect Mourinho to shuffle the pack.
Sunday’s game also comes with a little sub-plot – the return of Jose Mourinho. You may remember when Burnley met Chelsea back in 2015, Mourinho’s post match outburst angered most Clarets fans, and the ‘special one’ hasn’t been to Turf Moor since, so the atmosphere is likely to be very hostile for the Red Devils boss.
In case you have forgotten the Mourinho incident, here it is again…
Team News:
Dean Marney remains sidelined for Burnley, with Sam Vokes (Hamstring) and Scott Arfield (Knock) looking likely to join him in the stands.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson looks set to return for Burnley and he could feature in the Premier league for the first time since 2nd January.
Manchester United are plagued with injuries at the moment. Zlatan Ibrahimovic limped off on Thursday, as did Marcos Rojo, both of whom will miss Sunday’s game.
Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also remain sidelined, so academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe could feature for United.
Recent Form:
The Clarets come into this game on the back of just one win in their last 10 league games; a poor run. Since the turn of the year, Burnley have been out of form, and find themselves near the bottom of the form table, but the league table certainly doesn’t reflect that run.
Manchester United, in contrast, haven’t been beaten in 23 games in all competitions. However, United’s problem is that just under half of those unbeaten games have been draws, which is why they haven’t challenged for the title.
Previous Meetings:
Last time out, these two teams played out a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, where Tom Heaton produced one of the finest goalkeeping performances in Premier League history to keep United at bay. United have never won at Turf Moor in the Premier League. In their two previous visits to East Lancashire, the Red Devils have lost one and drawn one. Burnley registered their first ever Premier League win against Man United back in 2009, courtesy of a stunner from Robbie Blake. United’s two top-flight victories over Burnley have both come at Old Trafford, running out 3-0 and 3-1 victors in 2010 and 2015 respectively.
Match Stats:
Manchester United have conceded a mere four goals in their last 10 league games.
Burnley have won six of their last eight league games at Turf Moor.
The Clarets have kept three clean sheets in their last five games.
Mourinho’s men have drawn 12 games this season, a league high.
Predicted Line-Ups:
Burnley:
Manchester United:
View From The Longside 